Willie_Fung

Willie Fung

Willie Fung

Chinese actor

Willie Fung (3 March 1896 – 16 April 1945) was a Chinese-American film actor who played supporting roles in 125 American films from 1922 to 1944. Like many Chinese actors working in Hollywood during the era, he often played Japanese characters.[1]

Quick Facts Born, Died ...

Biography

Born in Canton, China,[2] Fung made a name for himself as an actor on the stage in San Francisco.[3] After moving to Los Angeles after his uncle's peanut[4] business collapsed during the depression, Fung — who was reportedly an acquaintance of Jean Harlow[5] — made his film debut in 1922 in Hurricane's Gal. The majority of his roles were in Westerns and dramas.

Behind the scenes, he was an advocate for fair treatment of studio actors.[4] While maintaining his acting career, he ran his own Chinese restaurant: New Moon Café in East Hollywood.[6][7][4]

Fung died of a coronary occlusion in Los Angeles on April 16, 1945 at the age of 49.[8] He is buried in Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles.[9][10]

Career

Willie Fung experienced racist typecasting throughout his career. As Hal Erickson scaldingly said: "Chinese character actor Willie Fung spent his entire Hollywood career imprisoned by the Hollywood Stereotype Syndrome...Fung was the personification of the 'Yellow Peril'...buck-toothed, pigtailed, pidgin-English-spouting comedy relief."[11]

Despite being in 125 films over the course of 22 years of acting, his time and effort lacked respect from his peers, and he was frowned upon by critics and historians.[4]

Partial filmography

More information Year, Title ...

References

  1. [1]
    "No Fun for Willie Fung". The Wilkes-Barre Record. 11 March 1942. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  2. [2]
    Rielly, Edward J., ed. (2006). Baseball in the Classroom: Essays on Teaching the National Pastime. McFarland. p. 55. ISBN 0-786-48152-8.
  3. [3]
    "Ruth Will Not Act". St. Joseph News-Press. 20 November 1931. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  4. [4]
    "West Adams Heritage Association | in Historic West Adams, Los Angeles, California". www.westadamsheritage.org. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  5. [5]
    Moore, Charles R. (20 May 1941). "Hollywood Film Shop". Wilmington Daily Press Journal. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  6. [6]
    "Chinese Actor Has Odd Hobby". Spokane Chronicle. 21 August 1936. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  7. [7]
    "Hollywood Stars "Hide"". The Pittsburgh Press. 13 March 1938. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  8. [8]
    Vazzana, Eugene Michael (2001). Silent Film Necrology. McFarland & Company Incorporated Pub. p. 185. ISBN 0-786-41059-0.
  9. [9]
    Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland & Company Incorporated Pub. p. 192. ISBN 0-786-40983-5.
  10. [10]
    "Notice to Creditors". Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. 29 June 1945. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  11. [11]
    "Willie Fung | Biography, Movie Highlights and Photos | AllMovie". 21 July 2019. Archived from the original on 21 July 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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